Manhunt for murderer: meeting held to address fears
Daily Post then learned the missing man was Dennick, who, as a 15-yearold, brutally murdered Llanberis vicar Canon Alun Jones.
Now Janet Finch Saunders, Aberconwy AM, has set up a public meeting which will take place in The Split Willow Hotel on Penmaenmawr Road in Llanfairfechan today (Thursday) at 7pm.
The Welsh Conservative AM said representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and police have been invited, plus local and county councillors.
Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “The lines of communication and the process surrounding Richard Bracken’s unescorted release clearly needs to be looked at.
“As a result of the many concerns remaining I have called the meeting by request, in order that some improved dialogue can take place between the agencies involved and those affected in the community. The work to find Mr Bracken (Dennick) was exemplary – but there are clearly significant questions yet to be answered, and I hope this meeting will enable some open discussion.”
The Daily Post has asked the health board if Dennick will be returned to Bryn y Neuadd, or at any other secure unit in North Wales but a spokeswoman said no further details could be released due to patient confidentiality.
Last Thursday the board’s medical director, Prof Matt Makin, said there would be a full review of the circumstances surrounding the absconding. THE secure unit from which a convicted killer escaped last week was sharply criticised in a report by a health watchdog last year.
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) were concerned there were inadequate numbers of staff “to facilitate effective patient care” at Tŷ Llywelyn secure unit at Bryn y Neuadd Hospital in Llanfairfechan.
The complex was plunged into the spotlight after Bryn y Neuadd patient Richard Dennick, a convicted killer, absconded from unescorted leave last Monday sparking a nationwide manhunt until he handed himself in in London the following day.
On the night of inspectors’ visit last November, one registered nurse was on duty on each ward, one of whom was also responsible for the whole unit.
HIW also found that patient information details, including contact details of next of kin, were not clearly recorded or documentation filed appropriately.
Records were not kept of how staff were supervised. Some staff stated that not all staff receive regular supervision.
Staff morale was generally low, with staff feeling “undervalued, not supported, unfairness of decisions and inaction with issues raised”.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s medical director Matt Makin said last night that standards were improving.
He said: “This inspection report was published back in November 2014 and we developed an action plan to address the recommendations made.
“I visited the unit this week and saw and heard of the significant progress that has been made following the report last year.
“The morale amongst staff is good, particularly given the improved recruitment environment.”
Prof Makin said BCUHB has continued to develop broad treatment approaches at the unit with the nursing team at the heart of this work.
Clinical leadership in the unit is strong and the “culture of supervision, support and reflection continues to improve”. Numbers of senior nurses in the clinical team have increased.
Prof Makin added: “The management of patient information within the unit is in line with the MH/LD Division Integrated Case Note process and is subject to regular review by the clinical team.”